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Saturn's magnetic field and dynamo theory
Author(s) -
Todoeschuck John P.,
Crossley David J.,
Rochester Michael G.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl008i005p00505
Subject(s) - dynamo , physics , dynamo theory , magnetic field , solar dynamo , saturn , rotational symmetry , mercury's magnetic field , field (mathematics) , magnetosphere of saturn , dipole , astrophysics , classical mechanics , mechanics , magnetosphere , l shell , planet , mathematics , quantum mechanics , magnetopause , earth's magnetic field , pure mathematics
Observations have shown that Saturn's magnetic field is remarkably axisymmetric and strongly dipolar. On reviewing three possible explanations for the field generation process we view a Braginskii nearly axisymmetric dynamo model as compatible with both the tilt angle and power requirements in a large Saturnian core. If the core is sufficiently small then a mean field dynamo becomes a more likely candidate, whereas if both these models fail an axisymmetric dynamo based on compressible flow may be possible.